0 Comemndations disallow further commendations on a player

So if I try to commend a player when I have 0 commendations I'll get the usual warning that I used all my allotted commendations so far.
However, if I am matched, let's say, next game with that player and I receive an extra commendation, I can't use it on the player I previously tried and failed to commend.

In other words, even 0 commendations still count as commending someone so you can't commend them later.

Explanations on the normal, high and very high brackets in replays: here, here & here
Why maphacks won't work in D2: here